[randomsearch]

> I'm returning to the academy because the tech landscape is filled with scam artists,

...then I have some very bad news.

If you're doing a PhD, good luck and enjoy it - I think there's value in a PhD, still, despite the flawed system.

If you're doing research or going on to do research, then I hope you can find a niche full of scientists and not politicians. Those niches are hard to find.